BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Dan Woffenden, West Ham fan and presenter of The West Ham Way podcast: "We were collectively very good against a side who are 16 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga - they're a fantastic team. For us to nullify them throughout shows the character of the team we had. But Leverkusen are the masters of the late goal.

"We're still not out of it. If we get the first goal next week, under the lights of London Stadium, we can bring the game to them.

"[Michail Antonio] is really effective when the ball sticks with him, as a lone striker. Against Jonathan Tar, he caused him a lot of problems. He ran the channels well, but when he reaches the 60-minute mark, he starts to fade a bit.

"Leverkusen are gettable defensively - it's just nullifying them again. If you give quality teams an inch, they'll take a yard, which happened last night."

West Ham United

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to TNT Sports:"Very disappointed. We worked hard for 80 minutes and then we gave two goals away from set-pieces.

"Usually defending set-pieces is our strength but you have to give a lot of credit to the opposition because they pushed the whole game.

"The more disappointing thing is that we conceded the second goal. It gives them a bit more confidence. We won't give up. We have to believe and respond in the second leg.

"I wouldn't say we ran out of energy. Both teams did their best. In the end the second set-piece felt too easy. It felt like the striker had too much space.

"We have to [believe]. We have a really good record at home. We responded in a strong way at Freiburg. They're special magical nights and hopefully the second leg will be the same."

West Ham United

Image source, Getty Images

The Hammers conceded two late goals away at Bayer Leverkusen last night. West Ham manager David Moyes told TNT Sports: "They [West Ham players] did a great job but we played against a Champions League side and we're not quite at that level.

"We're still in the tie and we have half a chance in the second leg.

"We'd like to have played more attacking. The players did a brilliant job with the structure. We got done by two corner-kicks. The second one was really poor from our point of view."

Bayer Leverkusen look set for Bundesliga glory this season as they are 16-points clear of second place Bayern Munich, Moyes added: "It's going to take some performance because they're a really good team. You never know what's going to happen.

"Let's try to get one and then see if we can get two. We'll pick ourselves up for next week and hopefully get the crowd behind us.

"This team we're playing will be Champions League next year. We have to recognise what we're playing against. We'll have to do exceptionally well to get that result."

La Gazzetta dello Sport

We've got another of today's papers for you, and this time it's one from Italy, with La Gazzetta dello Sport's headline saying 'mythical goddess' - Atalanta's nickname is La Dea (the Goddess).

It adds that 'Atalanta booms in Liverpool' after winning 3-0 in last night's Europa League quarter-final first leg at Anfield.

Image source, La Gazzetta dello Sport

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Atalanta’s convincing victory margin means this may well have been Jurgen Klopp's final European night at Anfield before he steps down at the end of the season.

It is far too early to say, however, that this argument should be widened out to Liverpool’s Premier League form, where they currently stand level on points with Arsenal.

What will undoubtedly be a source of concern is how much stronger Atlanta looked physically and how they were able to carve through a Liverpool defence, still containing captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate despite a changed side, with such regularity.

Liverpool looked jaded but Klopp will be hoping this is a rare blemish at home and not a sign that “the wheels have come off” or a season in pursuit, at one point at least, of four trophies is now taking a heavy physical toll.

It certainly raises the stakes for Sunday’s home game with Crystal Palace, with Liverpool knowing they simply cannot afford to deliver another display as abject as the one against Atalanta with the title race so tight in the closing straight.

Jaded or simply a one-off? Liverpool will be determined to prove it is the latter on Sunday.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool star Steve McManaman raised a few eyebrows by suggesting “the wheels have come off” after they were well beaten at Atalanta at Anfield in the Europa League quarter-final first leg.

McManaman made a valid point in the context of this one game, Liverpool going down 3-0 for their first home defeat in 34 games, after a desperate, careless performance complete out of character with their usual rampaging Anfield form under manager Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp was brutally honest in the aftermath, accepting Liverpool had no excuses after the sort of harrowing, demoralising night he has very rarely experienced at Anfield in his time in charge.

Before we received that message from Lu, Coley had got back to us with this:

Newcastle United and Manchester United have reportedly "initiated talks" with 29-year-old Juventus and France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who could be available on a free transfer this summer. (Calciomercato via TeamTalk), external

Newcastle bosses have injected £37m into the club in the form of a new share issue, although it is not clear whether the money will contribute towards the summer transfer window. (Football Insider), external

Want more gossip? Click here for Friday's column

Lu: Coley talking about 3rd choice RBs and LBs and midfielders who haven't played and players out of position. When Man Utd fans say that about their team, it's never a good enough reason. How about that?

Newcastle United

And finally from Eddie Howe, here's the Newcastle boss on the 1-0 victory over Fulham last weekend: "It wasn’t a great performance, but we were dogged and determined.

"I thought it was a big step forward, not playing too well but finding a way to score and win the game. We haven’t been able to do that enough this season - find a way to win games like that."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on beating Spurs 6-1 last season at St. James' Park: "I have had it rarely in my career when everything falls your way.

"It can be something coming together at that time. We were confident and there was a good rhythm in the team. Of course you work to have days like that again."

Keith, Formby, Liverpool fan of over 50 years: Good morning. I have to agree with the earlier contribution from Coley. Making 6 changes from the weekend just because you can isn’t the way to approach a quarter final, especially against a well organised Italian opponent. Klopp recognised Atlanta to be just this in his press conference but still played a tactically naive game and had no plan B. I love Klopp and very rarely criticise him, but he has to take a lot of responsibility for last night. He needs to show some energy and drive to his squad this morning and pick them up or his last few games in charge could fizzle out like a damp squib. Come on you mighty Reds.

Newcastle United

Newcastle go into the weekend eighth in the Premier League, 13 points behond fourth-placed Tottenham.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe on Ange Postecoglou's Spurs team: "I admire them tactically; I admire them physically.

"A lot of credit must go to Ange for the job he has done and the philosophy he has implemented. I think they have played very well this year."

Newcastle United

More from Eddie Howe on team news ahead of Tottenham: "The closest player to coming back would be Tino Livramento. He has not trained with the team but has been out on the grass.

"Lewis Hall has not trained at all this week, so he is a slight concern from last week.

"Other players are doing well in the background so I am hoping in the not-too-distant future we can get three or four back."

Newcastle United

ICYMI, Newcastle announced yesterday that Brazil international Joelinton, 27, had signed a new long-term contract with teh club.

Image source, PA Media

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe on Newcastle midfielder Joelinton: “I go back to my first training session [at Newcastle] - I genuinely thought ‘what a player he is’. I saw a player immensely talented and I was aware it hadn’t gone well [before Howe arrived].

“In terms of Joelinton’s position, I am not going to change history and say I saw his transition from a forward to midfielder initially, but he has taken that opportunity superbly well.

"I know at previous clubs he has played a deeper role. That transition comes about playing in England with the speed and strength [of the game].

"You have to adapt when you come from abroad - he is robust and everything you want him to be. He is like a brick wall. In part, that has made him the player he is."

Image source, Reuters

Newcastle United

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe on Joe Willock's injury: "Joe has been to see another specialist to check on the progress of his Achilles, which has been problematic for him.

"The feedback was positive. For Tottenham, I don’t think he will be available for us. We need to make sure the long-term prognosis for him is positive so he may need some rest."

Image source, PA Media

We're bring you more reaction shortly on last night's European games, which also saw Aston Villa beat Lille 2-1 while West Ham lost 2-0 at Bayer Leverkusen.

But first, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is now chatting with the media in the first of today's Premier League news conferences.